With 50 years as a global leader in horse transportation, we’ve had many champions come through our stable doors.
But not all of them are horses.
Celebrating 50 Years transporting horses around the globe.
With over 100 staff globally, dedicated offices in five countries, and a state-of-the-art software system unique to the industry, IRT has become one of the most trusted names in equine transport.
The IRT journey is a story of persistence and professionalism, endeavouring to deliver a world-class service to the equine industry.
It all began after the UK born Quentin Wallace first visited Australia in 1966, working briefly as a Jackaroo in Western Victoria.
Noticing a high demand for horses, Quentin returned to the UK the following year and began shipping horses to Australia by sea with LEP, a large UK based shipping and forwarding agency.
By the early 1970’s the sea shipping of horses to Australia and NZ had come to an abrupt halt due to the route by the Panama Canal being closed due to Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis. The route by the Suez Canal had closed many years earlier due to African Horse Sickness.
Meanwhile an opportunity presented itself back in Australia to become involved with the flying of horses from Australia and New Zealand to the United States. It was just the break Quentin was looking for so he moved to Australia and started IRT.
With such an intimate knowledge of routes between the UK, Australia, NZ and the USA, Quentin was able to then facilitate horse traffic in both directions by chartering aircraft in the UK to fly horses to Australia, which were then able to return north with horses to the USA.
After a decade in operation Quentin Wallace began his quest to build a worldwide network, the first of which was IRT UK, followed by IRT New Zealand, IRT USA, and most recently IRT Germany. This provided clients a continuity of care from door to door, a truly turn-key solution and service not previously seen before in the industry.
Since its inception, refining the transportation process has always been the top priority for the IRT team worldwide.
By working closely with government bodies and key industry stakeholders IRT has been able to streamline the process, and reduce the travel time and risk associated with flying horses.
As an organisation IRT has grown from a one-man show into a multi-national company widely regarded as one of the best in the business, steadily building its international coverage. It now boasts key operational offices in Melbourne (Australia), Auckland (NZ), Los Angeles, Chicago (USA), Newmarket (UK) and most recently in Stadthagen (Germany).
Milestones & Highlights
Throughout IRT’s 50 years in operation there have been many milestones and highlights worth acknowledging. But none of these would have been possible without the connection we have with our customers, staff, and colleagues in the industry.
1970
1972 IRT was formed in Australia by Quentin Wallace and charters the first plane ever to carry horses into New Zealand with horses direct from the UK, which included the pioneering shuttle stallion PRETENDRE for Waikato Stud.
1973 IRT commences flights to Australia.
1974 IRT Shuttles its first thoroughbred stallions DEEP DIVER and GREEN GOD to stand in Australia. Since then IRT has been the world leader for the transport of thoroughbred and standardbred shuttle stallions.
1976 IRT commences flights from Australia and New Zealand to Singapore/Malaysia.
1980
1980 IRT transports its first Melbourne Cup Winner BELDALE BALL.
1982 IRT opens UK office in partnership with John Bidwell to service traffic to and from the rest of the world.
1984 IRT takes over New Zealand International Horse Transport, the leading shipper of horses between NZ & USA, and opens office in Auckland, NZ, with David Cole as Partner and Managing Director.
1984 IRT opens office in Los Angeles run by Jim Paltridge to handle the company’s traffic to and from the South Pacific and within the USA.
1990
1995 IRT transports The Moscow Circus horses from Russia, via UK to Australia, and subsequently to Singapore and Hong Kong.
1996 IRT transfers its USA head office from New York to its current location in Chicago.
1996 IRT undertakes the first imports from The United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Australia.
1999 IRT is appointed an official transport agent for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
2000
2000 IRT appointed by The Sydney Olympic Organising Committee for the Games as co-ordinator for all equestrian transport to/from the Games.
2003 IRT opens the first private permanent Post Arrival Quarantine Facility at Hayfied Way, New Zealand.
2004 IRT opens their mainland European office in Germany.
2005 IRT opens an operations office in Sydney, Australia.
2010
2011 IRT imports an unprecedented 17 of the 24 Melbourne Cup Runners including the first 3 past the post DUNADEN, RED CADEAUX and LUCAS CRANACH.
2016 IRT opens a new Post Arrival Quarantine Facility (Muir Road) in New Zealand.
2017 IRT Australia’s operation moves into its new world class indoor transit loading and unloading facility specifically designed for horses at Melbourne Airport.
2018 IRT opens the purpose built IRT Park Facility outside of Melbourne for the export of horses from Australia.
2020
2020 IRT starts its sponsorship of New Zealand's biggest race day, the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup.
2020 IRT successfully navigates its way through the COVID-19 pandemic with constant horse movements to most destinations around the world.
2021 IRT continues its run of being involved with every Australian equestrian team going to the Olympic Games, since Munich in 1972 to Tokyo 2020.
